From the Associate Minister

March 10, 2021 | COVID-19
Mental health resources for children and youth

When young Albertans are struggling, parents and caregivers can be at a loss as to how to help. Confidential 24/7 mental health supports are available.

February 26, 2021 | COVID-19
Supporting mental health through virtual connections

Pandemic fatigue is being experienced by many people. If you are feeling stress, anxiety or sadness during this challenging time, you are not alone.

Accomplishments

Image of 5 people sitting in a circle

Alberta’s government is investing $140 million over 4 years to enhance the mental health and addiction care system and create more publicly funded treatment spaces.

mental health act engagment

More than $53 million has been committed to enhance online, phone and in-person mental health and addiction recovery supports during and after the COVID-19 pandemic.

Removed the financial barriers to treatment by eliminating the daily user fee at residential addiction treatment centres.

Introduced recovery communities, also known as therapeutic communities, to Alberta. $25 million will help build five of these holistic residential addiction treatment centres.

Appointed an expert committee to review the social and economic impacts of current and proposed supervised consumption sites. The final report was released March 5, 2020.

Implemented the requirement for addiction treatment centres to be licensed to ensure that Albertans have access to quality addiction treatment services.

Key information

  • Alberta’s addiction response
    • Alberta’s addiction care system includes prevention, intervention, treatment and recovery services. Learn more about the range of addiction care options.
    • The Addiction Helpline at 1-866-332-2322 provides support, information and referral to services. The confidential, toll-free line operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
    • Opioid data helps us better understand the opioid crisis in Alberta and make informed, strategic decisions about how best to support individuals experiencing addiction.
  • Supporting the mental health of Albertans
    • Resources and supports are available to help Albertans experiencing stress, anxiety and uncertainty.
    • The Mental Health Help Line is a 24-hour, 7 day a week confidential service that provides support, information and referrals to Albertans experiencing mental health concerns.
  • Addressing the impact of COVID-19

In focus

Budget 2021

Alberta’s budget is focused on protecting lives and livelihoods, investing in health care, preparing for recovery and spending responsibly.

Alberta COVID-19 Youth Mental Health Resource Hub

Provincial funding helped jack.org and Kids Help Phone create the Alberta COVID-19 Youth Mental Health Resource Hub.

Virtual Opioid Dependency Program

Available province wide, Alberta Health Services uses telehealth technology to provide treatment for opioid use disorder.

Residential addiction treatment provider licensing

Residential addiction treatment providers in Alberta must be licensed in accordance with the Mental Health Services Protection Act.

Biography

Minister Luan was elected as Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) for Calgary-Foothills on April 16, 2019. He previously served as an MLA for Calgary-Hawkwood (2012-2015).

Married to his wife, Ms. Fengying Zhang for 34 years, Luan has two daughters. Graduating from the University of Calgary with a Masters of Social Work in 1990, he has dedicated his career to public service, promoting healthy families, strong communities and economic prosperity. He served in a variety of roles in provincial and municipal governments including as a child protection worker, a social planner, a manager and as a senior counsellor.

Luan has also managed funding for nonprofit social service agencies for over 20 years. He co-chaired the Immigrant Sector Council of Calgary (2006-2012) and served on the Calgary Council on Mental Health and Addictions from 2017 to 2018. He is proud to have made a difference in many lives throughout his professional services and community volunteering, and received the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal in 2012 for community services.

Jason Luan was appointed as the Associate Minister for Mental Health and Addictions on April 30, 2019. His extensive experience in working with those suffering from addiction makes him uniquely positioned to handle the key commitment to address the opioid epidemic in Alberta.